Welcome, home: The afterglow of Friday's Homecoming parade and pep rally was definitely Maverick blue and orange as almost 5,000 fans energized College Park Center for the men's basketball game. See more photos.

Homecoming a big hit with big crowds

Maverick pride filled the streets of the College Park District on Friday as thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members soaked up the fun and festivities of Homecoming 2013.

"Homecoming was a wonderful way to celebrate the energy and spirit that makes UT Arlington such a special place," says Frank Lamas, vice president for student affairs. "It was so great to see present and past Mavericks reconnecting and enjoying our traditions and the College Park District."

A Friday afternoon street party preceded the Homecoming parade of 86 entries that included floats and UTA's traditional golf cart entries representing numerous campus groups. After the parade passed by on Spaniolo Drive, the crowd joined the pep rally to cheer on the Maverick men's basketball team.

Navjot Singh and Sarpreet Singh, both psychology seniors and cousins, were crowned Homecoming king and queen in front of nearly 5,000 fans at halftime of the men's basketball game. The Mavericks fell to Cleveland State 83-73 on Petsche Court in College Park Center. Following the game, a fireworks show lit up the November sky.

The week included the traditional chili cook-off and step show, as well as alumni gatherings. Saturday's activities began with the 5K Walk/Run and the Homecoming Golf Tournament followed by open houses, reunions, and The Bash celebration.

In its cover story, the fall 2013 issue of UTArlington Magazinedetails how University researchers are battling this toxic invasion, as well as developing wireless sensors to protect our nation’s lakes and examining the effect of climate change on coral reefs

You’ll also find a Q&A with President Vistasp Karbhari, an article about a rediscovered collection of student essays written days after the JFK assassination, and a story about the importance—and allure—of the railroad industry. Every article includes a link for posting comments. You also can “like” the magazine’s Facebook page and get updates in your newsfeed.

UTArlington Magazine is published three times a year and distributed to about 160,000 UT Arlington constituents, including all alumni, major donors, elected officials, civic leaders, faculty, senior staff, and other friends of the University.

Go to the MyMav Mobile website to save the link to your home screen. Sign in on the main screen using your UTA netID and password to access enrollment, financial, and class schedules.

UTA ranks among nation's best universities for military veterans

UT Arlington is one of the best colleges for military veterans in the United States, according to rankings by Military Times.

UT Arlington placed No. 70 of 120 institutions named to the “Best for Vets: Colleges 2014” list that rates a school’s complete offerings for veterans at four-year universities, two-year colleges, and online institutions.

A total of 600 institutions responded to the 150-question survey, which placed a new emphasis on academic rigor. The extensive evaluation process also factored in service member enrollment, percentage of tuition covered by the GI Bill, and availability of specific programs to help service members.

“UT Arlington has a rich history of educating servicemen and women and a modern appeal for veterans who want to pursue degrees in a wide range of academic and research disciplines,” President Vistasp Karbhari says. “While we are thrilled by this national recognition, we also are challenged to continue pursuing new models of supporting servicemen and women transitioning from military life to the University and beyond.”

International Education Week features food, facts, photos

Stop by the Peace Corps booth or attend one of several Fulbright Program information sessions. Visit the 10th annual Study Abroad Photo Contest, or partake in the International Food Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and the World Trivia Contest on Thursday, Nov. 21. Check the schedule for more events.

Music man

Music students flocked to hear legend Gunther Schuller during his visit to the Music Department last week. The Pulitzer Prize-winning musician and conductor talked about his career with students and faculty, led several rehearsals, and conducted the Wind Symphony in concert Sunday night. The author of several books, Schuller released his memoirs, Gunther Schuller: A Life in Pursuit of Music and Beauty, in 2011. He is an original member of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.

Programs ask for input on technology for people with disabilities

Students are invited to two programs exploring how to accommodate individuals with disabilities in an educational environment Thursday, Nov. 21.

"Not Just for Students with Disabilities: Using Universal Design" looks at the field of disability studies and the increasingly diverse types of disabilities. Presenters are Sarah Rose, director of the minor in Disability Studies and assistant professor of history; Penny Acrey, director of the Office for Students with Disabilities; and Gina Ceylan, a doctoral student in science education at the University of Missouri.

The program is noon-1 p.m. in Room 303 of the Chemistry and Physics Building and is sponsored by the ON-TRAC program of the Office of Graduate Studies.

"Technology Needs Forum" seeks input on technology that would help people with disabilities in academic, work, and personal settings. The forum is 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 153 of the Business Building and hosted by the UTA Research Institute and the Office for Students with Disabilities. Ideas can be shared anonymously via email to pacrey@uta.edu.

If you need an accommodation based on a disability to fully participate in these events, direct your request to Acrey at 817-272-3364 or pacrey@uta.edu.

Goolsby Academy celebrates 10 years with body language link to power

Caroline Keating, professor of psychology at Colgate University, will present "Also Mightier Than the Sword: The Body Language of Leadership and Power." Her lecture focuses on how the way a leader looks, sounds, and moves can be a powerful weapon.

Through her research, Dr. Keating discovered that humans convey dominance through facial expressions parallel to those of other primates.

The free program starts with a 6 p.m. reception and the lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Logo design contest includes $100 prize

The Academic Advising Association (UTAAA) is offering a $100 gift card for the winning design for the group's new logo. All students are eligible to enter.

Read the competition guidelines. Entries are due by Monday, Dec. 2, and the winner will be announced by mid-December.

Hurting for health

Arun Kanal, bioengineering graduate student, grimaces while getting a flu shot at an outreach clinic in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Influenza vaccinations are $20 at the Health Services Center, and no appointment is needed.

GIS Day shows how system is used everywhere

Discover how every UT Arlington department uses geographic information systems (GIS), whether they realize it or not, as a part of the GIS Day 2013 events on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Jianling Li, professor of urban and public affairs, will discuss “GIS at UT Arlington: What It Can Do for Teaching, Learning, Research, and Daily Life,” at noon on the sixth floor of the Central Library.

“GIS is a part of Big Data, social media, mapping, and quantitative analysis,” says Joshua Been, government data librarian. “People can see how electronic mapping technologies are used by everyone.”

GIS Day features Cache, If You Can geocaching, poster presentations on using GIS at 1 p.m., free food, prizes, and a giant GIS Day cake.

Spring registration is open; see your adviser now

Check your Student Center in MyMav to see if you need to meet with your academic adviser before registering. A list of advising offices is online. Call to schedule an appointment or check walk-in hours.

Panelists recall Kennedy assassination

Rebecca Deen, chair of the Political Science Department, will moderate the panel discussion noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library.

Panelists include Paul McCaghren, who was a Dallas police lieutenant at the time of the assassination, and John Schoellkopf, who was a 25-year-old reporter at the Dallas Times Herald when the story broke. Allan Saxe, associate professor of political science, will discuss amateur film footage of the motorcade that was taken by Abraham Zapruder, the father of his friend Henry Zapruder.

'Danny from North Korea' Documentary of a North Korean who escaped to China and the United States. Discussion to follow led by Liberty in North Korea non-profit advocates. Free. 6:30 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Asian Heritage Month.

The Maverick Lens: Views from the Library This annual photo exhibit reflects the diversity of learning, living, and working at UT Arlington. See also "50 Years of Views." 8 a.m.-7 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through March 5, 2014. UT Arlington Library.

Shout out: Junior guard Lonnie McClanahan vocalizes his actions against Cleveland State at Friday's Homecoming game in College Park Center.

Men's team faces No. 4 Kentucky tonight

The Mavericks face No. 4 Kentucky for the first time tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the second game of the Keightly Classic.

The game will air on 1630 AM with live video streaming and stats via utamavs.com.

The Mavericks fell 83-73 to Cleveland State on Friday night at College Park Center. Senior guard Reger Dowell earned 23 of his 25 points in the second half. Senior forward Brandon Edwards scored 21 and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. The Homecoming crowd of 4,824 was the fifth largest for a basketball game in UT Arlington history.

UTA will be on the road to face Robert Morris on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Women's team plays Oklahoma before coming home for three games

The women's basketball team heads to Oklahoma to face the Sooners on Wednesday, Nov. 20, after falling 74-56 to UT San Antonio on Sunday.

The Mavericks follow this week's play with three home games at College Park Center: Virginia Commonwealth University, Sunday, Nov. 24; Abilene Christian, Wednesday, Nov. 27; and North Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Sports shorts

• The men's cross country team's Craig Lautenslager earned All-Region
honors at the NCAA South Central Regional on Friday in Waco. The men's team
placed eighth, while the women's squad took 12th in the season's final event.

• The volleyball team wrapped up its regular-season play 17-14 overall and 10-8 in the Sun Belt Conference after defeating UL Lafayette by 3-2 Friday and UL Monroe by 3-1 Saturday. The Sun Belt Conference Tournament starts Thursday, Nov. 21, in Troy, Ala.

TrailBlazer is published by the Department of University Communications on Tuesdays during the fall and spring semesters, and every other Tuesday during the summer. To submit items for possible inclusion in TrailBlazer, email trailblazer@uta.edu. Items must be received three working days before distribution. Inclusion of events and activities in TrailBlazer does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by the University. Read the TrailBlazer Guidelines.